Television And The Grassy Knoll

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Do Not Touch That Dial

The Grassy Knoll Institute reveals rumors, theories, thoughts, and updates on your favorite television programs. We nailed ABC Lost for six seasons,  the House finale prediction, Persons Of Interest finale, Fringe, and many more programs. Check here for the latest updates and theories on Hulu Plus, Netflix, Amazon Prime, and whether the Governor on AMC's The Walking Dead is still alive or became a biter.
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Walking Dead Govenor Proof Of Life 02/03/2014
Hulu Plus Commercials Suck Mirror Balls 01/07/2014
Walking Dead Governor Is Not A Biter Yet 12/02/2013
ABC Lost Sequel - 4 Part Series - Beyond The Church 07/12/2010

HULU Plus Limited Commercials My Ass

Hulu Plus Adds Commercials

I was surfing the cable channels the other night looking for something entertaining to watch and found nothing. I decided to go streaming and switched on my Netflix and Hulu Plus subscriptions. Now for the past several months I have been re-watching the classic 1966-71 soap opera Dark Shadows. The series is about a vampire named Barnabus Collins released from his chained coffin finding himself 175 years in the future back at Collinwood. Google or Bing the rest if you want to know more.

I dialed up Hulu Plus because Netflix had just pulled all the Dark Shadows episodes off their list streaming list. That was fine, no problem, Hulu Plus still had them. I opened my list of programs and selected Dark Shadows and selected episode #399 (Abigail insists that Reverend Trask must be summoned again to find and destroy the witch residing in Collinwood.) The episode is 22 minutes in length.

Now when I signed up with Hulu months ago, it was in clear print that even with my paid subscription there would be limited commercials during each episode. No problem, I could accept limited commercials.

I hit the play button and I immediately viewed a commercial. Only 30 seconds, no biggie. Dark Shadows began with a recap of the previous cliff hanger and then the theme music played. And BAM, another commercial. This time there were three in total. And then back to the show. Six minutes later the program was interrupted with yet more commercials. I was beginning to see a pattern here. In all, there were twelve commercials during this episode.

Finally, the daily cliff hanger aired and the credit music began, (Eerie organ music followed by a stern voice saying, "This has been a Dan Curtis Production) I then checked the actual time it took to air the episode. Thirty minutes. Let me repeat that. Thirty minutes. Limited commercials my ass.

I understand Hulu Plus is only $8 bucks a month but Hulu needs to be truthful with its customer base. It needs to amend its Mission Statement.

Hulu Plus should state before you click that paid button:
Once you sign up with Hulu plus and we have your $8 bucks, you will be able to watch all programs available on Hulu. However, Hulu will at their discretion insert as many commercials as we see fit and call it limited commercial interruptions when in fact commercials will average 7-8 minutes every 30 minutes of viewing. In essence, you will pay Hulu for the luxury of watching your program whenever you want plus watch the commercials, commercials that you cannot fast forward through as you can do on your cable DVR systems. Thank you for choosing Hulu Plus.

In essence, although I like some of the programs Hulu Plus offers, I do not like the commercials that go along with my paid subscription.

BTW, Netflix has all four seasons of Farscape. Just saying.

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50 Psychic Predictions For 2014

2014 Psychic Predictions

Once a year the curator of the Grassy Knoll Institute gathers his psychic abilities and much like Nostradamus did over 500 years ago, will peer into the future to reveal 50 predictions for the 2014 year. The predictions that follow may shock you, may make you laugh or cry, and may make you re-think your life choices. In past years, I correctly predicted Brett Favre coming out of retirement, the breakup of Tony Roma and Jessica Simpson. In Hollywood, I predicted the Death of Michael Jackson, Farrah Fawcett, Dick Clark, and Ted Kennedy. I foresaw the Charlie Sheen meltdown, the breakup of Kristen Stewart and Robert Pattinson, and of course the Lindasy Lohan drama. Plus many more successful predictions.

Lets see how good my clairvoyant powers fare for the 2014 year. Check back regularly as predictions come true or fall short.

Sports Related Predictions:

1) Former NFL quarterback Tim Tebow, a year removed from playing, like the bibles prodigal son, makes his way back home and signs on to an NFL team. FAILED: Sorry Timmy, you are one and done.

2) Peyton Manning and the Denver Bronco's  win the Super Bowl. He is now tied for two Super Bowl wins with his brother Eli.FAILED: The Seahawks put a whooping on the Bronco's 43-8

3) Florida State wins the final BCS Championship Bowl game. SUCCESS: Florida State barely beat Auburn with a come from behind victory.

4) The Boston Celtics do not win the NBA title. However, the team was scheduled to tank and not win more than 12 games. In fact, Celtic pride will double that total, ending with 25 wins. SUCCESS: Celtics are 25-55 with two games left. 

5) In this years NFL draft, the Minnesota Vikings, after finally realizing that Christian Ponder is not the answer at quarterback, selects quarterback Johnny "Football" Manziel from Texas A and M. Failed: Johnny was there for the taking but the Vikes passed.

6) After wallowing in the mire for the past several seasons, the Cincinnati Reds big red machine comes alive and wins the World Series. FAILED: The big red machine needs more oil.

7) The Oklahoma City Thunder led by Kevin Durant wins the NBA Championship. Failed: Durant couldn't take the heat.

Dearly Departed:

8) Pope Benedict XVI passes due to a mysterious illness that forced him to step down from the head of the Catholic church. FAILED: We still have two popes.

9) Zsa Zsa Gabor's reign as the Queen of outer space has finally ended as she quietly passes. Goodbye Dahlink.... 

10) Billy Graham meets his maker face to face. I would love to listen to that conversation.

11) Fidel Castro won't be yelling "Die infidels" anymore.

12) Casey Kasem, famous radio personality known for his Top 40 countdown around the globe, signs off for the last time. CORRECT: Casey passed away several days ago. Keep reaching for the stars Casey. 

Love And Marriage - And Divorce:

13) Bruce and Kris Jenner finally call it quits. Bruce gets to keep his adams apple in the settlement. The ratings should be huge for that episode. Success: Bruce has moved out and is separated from his wife.

14) John Travolta and Kelly Preston call it quits. Thomas Dolby points to the breakup: SCIENCE!

15) Ashton Kutcher and Mila Kunis tie the knot. Jackie finally does it with Kelso. SUCCESS: Kunis has a child and a wedding ring.

16) Angelina Jolie and Brad Pitt agree its time to get married after 11 children. Success: The knot is tied. Check the link Here

Hollyweird:

17) Freshly turned 18 year old Kendall Jenner makes a splash in 2014. Nude photo's suddenly appear on the Internet of the budding runway model. 02/13/14 - SUCCESS: Kendall Jenner wears a shocking outfit while walking the runway at the Marc Jacobs fashion show held during Mercedes-Benz Fashion Week Fall 2014 on Thursday (February 13) at the NY State Armory in New York City.

18) Justin Beiber gets his ass kicked by a group of people on the street who Beibs dissed. His bodyguards are not quick enough to save him this time. (Maybe he should have retired)

19) Miley Cyrus does more than twerking in a revealing video taken unawares. This explains Miley calling off her wedding engagement. SUCCESS: Miley has gone wild, free the nipple, twerking, and cannabis bandwagon.

20) Jennifer Lawrence gets cozy with yet another man named Oscar. Failed: She goes home empty handed.

21) Amanda Bynes returns to Hollywood accepting a bit part but it is a start. Good luck Amanda in 2014. FAILED: Sadly, Amanda has regressed.

22) Lindsey Lohan becomes a Paris Hilton wannabe and starts taking gigs as a DJ. Lindsay's DJ name should be Phoenix Firecrotch. 

23) Britney Spears new Las Vegas show Piece Of Me will not be the gigantic hit it is portrayed to be. In fact, Britney will be run out of town by years end. FAILED: Spears re-ups her contract.

24) Justin Timberlake is about to become a daddy. His wife Jessica Beils announces she is with child. SUCCESS: bring it on in to Daddyville.

Natural Disasters:

25) A plague of tornadoes will touchdown up North in the United States. Unprepared cities and towns not usually accustomed to tornadoes will sustain heavy damage.

26) The Japan Fukushima nuclear plant will have an incident as the Japanese government is using untrained laborers to work in the fallout area clearing away debris and moving soil. 

27) A major U.S. volcanic eruption will occur. It will erupt with almost no warning time. Everything in its eruption path will be incinerated.

Television And Movies:

28) The Walking Dead Governor is not dead. He will return during season five. 

29) Soap Opera Days Of Our Lives character Nick Fallon supposedly murdered by Gabby Hernandez in a struggle at the top of the cliff clearing, is not dead, he is very much alive. Success: 01/24/14, Nick Fallon walked into the church right before the Baby baptism.

30) Ziva David, former NCIS agent resurfaces and contacts her former team and asks for assistance.

31) The Big Bang Theory characters Sheldon and Amy finally get to do "It!"

32) Game Of Thrones becomes HBO's highest rated cable series ever. The Queen would be so proud of her inbred son. Success: GOT is HBO's biggest hit.

World News:

33) Princess Kate produced an heir, and now announces a spare. Success: Today, September 8th, 2014, The royal couple announced Kate was expecting.

34) Edward Snowden, former NSA contractor mysteriously vanishes. 

35) A passenger jet will go missing after it takes off with a full crew and passengers. There will be no hint of foul play. It will be a long time before any clues surface as to the whereabouts. Correct: Malasyian flight MH370 went off radar March 8th without any warning, and no distress calls or any signs of foul play. 

36) Contrary to popular belief of the millions of people that have already begun years ago preparing, there will be no Zombie Apocalypse.... This year. SUCCESS: We have survived one more year.

37) Caroline Kennedy, daughter of former president John Kennedy, begins to flex her political muscles pointing her way toward the big chair.

38) Two hundred year old blueprints of several pyramids in Egypt will reveal secret underground passages that connect many of the structures including the Sphinx. The blueprints are in the possession of former curator of ancient Egypt antiquities Zahi Hawass.

39) North Korea will launch an unscheduled missiles. It will fly over China airspace forcing China to react. Success: Just yesterday, April 2nd, news reports that North Korea launched missiles that came close to the South Korean border. China does react.

Technology:

40) Netflix, the Internet movie streaming giant, cuts deals with cable operators and has their service offered as an option to customers channel line ups. Success: Beginning abroad, cable operators now have Netflix as an option.

41) Sprint Mobile and T-Mobile cut a deal to merge to become the third largest cell phone network but is blocked by the FCC. SUCCESS: The merger is shot down by the FCC

42)  In a brazen move, Microsoft offers their new phones and tablets at almost zero cost to increase their visibility in the cell and tablet world.

43) Apple finally decides to compete with Samsung and debuts a powerful 5 inch screen IPhone. Millions upon millions will be sold. SUCCESS: Apple announces a 5.5 inch screen. 

Science And Medicine:

44) A new dangerous strain of flu is detected and mutates to a very harsh strain that is very hard to contain.

45) A patient in a coma for months awakens and reveals a story of life after death experienced while in a comatose state.

46) An asteroid will strike the planet Mars with planet killing force giving humanity a wake up call as to how fragile we really are. 

47) Staying with Mars, the rovers now on the planet will detect actual alien life. 

48) A signal originating from outside our galaxy will be detected  lending irrefutable proof that we are not alone in this universe. 

Economy:

49) Obama health Care fails. As thousands attempt to submit claims to pharmacies, hospitals, and doctor offices, the claims will begin to get caught up in the proverbial red tape of all things Federal government that will reach a boiling point and citizen revolt. 

50) Can the DOW say 1700? Yes it can. The economy will swing a little more North this year raising the stock exchange to new heights. SUCCESS: http://www.usatoday.com/story/money/markets/2014/07/03/stocks-thursday/12131363/

Bonus Precictions:

51) The body of former Teamsters Union leader Jimmy Hoffa will finally be found after numerous false reports in previous years. 

52) Internet streaming service HULU gets sold.

53) After abysmal officiating in the 2013 NFL season, the referee's will now become "Full Time" employee's of the league. They will go through even more extensive training to avoid errant calls that changed the destiny of several teams.  

There you have it my dear readers. Fifty bold predictions for the future. Check back daily to see how the predictions unfold. Don't be afraid to comment, we love to hear your opnions. 

LURKING, KNOWING ALL, ON THE GRASSY KNOLL

Merry Christmas From Thunder Cat Newman

Thunder Cat Newman Trimming The Tree

We have two cats. One of them is named Storm. He is a big 27 pound, yes I said 27 pound cat. Storm keeps to himself unless the food dish is empty and God help us all when that happens. (Psst! He's a 27 pound cat, he can afford to go several hours without a meal if you know what I mean) Just last night apparently I had the audacity to leave the food dish empty before I went to bed. Around 4am Storm barged into our bedroom making the door hit the wall stop and jumped violently onto our bed.

Now I was awake, but I settled back down to sleep. Storm had other plans. After several large gutteral meows that sounded like the cat was meowing in tongues I rolled over to see what the Hell was the matter. There was Storm Cat starring me down. I asked him what was the matter like he was going to answer me but my only response was several more meows backed by sort of growling. I rolled over and ignored him. Storm Cat jumped down and left the room.

About ten minutes later Storm once again jumped on our bed. However, this time, no meows, but he moved to another tactic. Storm walked to the top of the bed and crawled over my pillow making sure that his paws made contact with my head. I always thought cats were nimble little minx's but not Storm. Storm made several passes over my head until I jumped up and once again asked the bloody cat what he wanted. No response. No surprise. He jumped down and left the room. Since I was up I decided to follow him and see just what the cat does in the middle of the night. He led me right to his food dish. It was empty. The freakin cat wanted to eat at 4am in the morning. I filled his bowl and went back to bed.

We also have another cat, a 4.5 pound female named Thunder Cat Newman. (Thunder Cat is pictured above tangled up in Christmas tree tinsel.) Thunder Cat loves to help trim the Christmas tree and never, ever, jumps on our bed and wakes us up with wild meows and head crawling. Never! Ever!

Guess who my favorite cat is?

Merry Christmas from the Grassy Knoll Institute.

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Stopping By Woods

Christmas Tree Farm

Today is the 5th anniversary of the passing of my Father. I am looking over at the fireplace with our Christmas stockings hanging waiting for Santa Claus to arrive. Removing my glasses to enhance the twinkling lights on the tree. Our 4.5 pound pet Thunder Cat Newman is curled up sleeping on her blanket surely dreaming of hunting big game in the wilds in our back yard. And myself, I find myself thinking about Christmas pasts with my Father.

In the 1960's, artificial tree's were a novelty, not many families had them, and certainly not ours. Oh no, we had the real McCoy. Every year in mid December, Dad would embark on a sojourn to find the perfect tree for our family. I loved going with him. We usually drove out to the Christmas tree farm way past Western Reserve Road. To a six year old, Western Reserve Road was a far drive. As we turned left on Route 626 the scenery changed to farm land. Twenty minutes or so later we arrived at the tree farm.

Dad and I would survey the rows of tree's on the farm and select the perfect one for us. Dad would always ask me which one we should take. I always picked the tree Dad wanted as he would inject subtle hints along our search to steer me to the right tree. (This one has no bare spots, the branches were solid, the needles weren't brittle, the size was right, etc) Dad would pay for the tree and we would tie the tree on the roof of our car and return home.

Most of our tree's were ceiling height, (8 Feet) and roughly six feet wide. The tree would dominate our living room for the two weeks with the fresh scent of pine wafting through the house. We couldn't wait to help Mom and Dad decorate it but before the decorations were brought up from the basement, Dad made sure he secured the tree so it would not fall.

The standard ritual was to cut the bottom of the trunk to make it level to sit in the tree stand upright. Second, Dad would tie several wires to the center of the tree and then attach the wires to small anchors on the floor boards on the two walls the tree sat against. With 7 children, the tree had been on the ground several times throughout the years. The extra anchorage insured the tree would stay upright.

The heirachy of tree decorating began with dad. He would untangle the string lights by laying them in rows on the living room carpet. Again, with 7 children running around, it was a lucky day when bulbs were not stepped on breaking them. I was the string tester. I would plug a string into the wall outlet and if they worked, I would drag them over to the good side of the room. If a string would not light, I would check each bulb to make sure they were all screwed in tightly. Most of the time that was the cause of the faulty string. Once the testing was complete, Dad would begin to string them on to the tree.

Starting from the top, Dad would wind the lights around the tree dropping down a few inches working his way down. I would have the next string in hand ready to hand them to Dad as he walked on carefully placed kitchen chairs around the tree. As he worked his way down, I would yank the chairs away and keep feeding him the light strings until the last light was placed. Dad would walk to the far corner of the room and stare at the tree to make sure his handiwork was true.

The second phase of the trimming of the tre was the tinsel. I placed the kitchen chairs back in place in front of the tree and Dad begun to rope the tinsel around the tree as he had done with the lights. In less than ten minutes, the tinsel was on and it was time for the bulbs.

Mom took over with the bulbs. Each child had their own bulb with their name emblazoned on it. Mine was a silver bulb with red lettering spelling out Patrick. Each child placed their own bulb on the tree. I remember once I dropped my bulb and it shattered into a hundred pieces. I was devastated. Seeing this, Dad quickly grabbed a large silver bulb from the box, took out a black magic marker and wrote my name on the bulb. He said it was my new bulb and Mom would add the glitter to it later. He told me to pick a place on the tree to hang it.

The last thing to complete the tree trimming were the icicles to hang on the branches. My sisters would gently place piece by piece the icicles carefully. My method was to throw a handful at close range at the tree and watch them float in the air and settle on the branches.

The tree was now completely trimmed and immediately we began another tradition. We would all take our shoes off and rub our feet on the carpet and approach the tree and slowly stick our finger out towards the icicles. Once your hand connected with the icicle, you would get a static shock and even hear a loud "ZAP" in the air. The more you rubbed your feet on the carpet, the stronger the shock you would get. Each of us took a turn and then we would see who could get the loudest spark.

One final game was a classic game. It was called I'm thinking of a bulb. One of the brothers and sisters would describe a bulb on the tree offering clues as to which one it was. The other kids would guess which one it was.

Those were the days my friends. The entire family huddled in the living room, seated on the couches, all the lights out except the Christmas tree lights, interacting as a family.

Merry Christmas Dad,
Rest In Peace.

And miles to go before I sleep.
And miles to go before I sleep.

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